Motor shopping

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 16, 2003 | 08:46 AM

nbaff

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 192

Likes: 0

From: North Carolina, Wilmingto

Motor shopping

My 351m died in my F-150 the other day. And I have figured it would be cheaper to just put in a 460 than rebuild the 351. I am going to look at a motor on Saturday out of an old big merc.
What should I look for? Any tell-tell signs that should steer me away. How many miles is to many? If I do get it how should I transport it in the back of my truck? any other advice to follow?

Ok this is what I think I know for now
Get all brackets and acc.
New motor mounts
new oil pan(rear sump)
that is all i know for now

Now here is another question. the clutch and clutch linkage. I am guessing i am going to need a fly wheel. How am i going to work all that out? any ideas?

truck specs are below

nick

Sep 16, 2003 | 09:07 AM

KJKozak2

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 2,404

Likes: 3

From: Cleveland, WI USA

Motor shopping

I've been in the market for a 460 myself for the last few months. I've learned that I can't really tell much about a motor if it's not running, or without taking it apart.

If it's in a car and you can turn it over, do a compression test.

If not, I would pull the oil pan and valve covers and check for rust. That'll tell you if it's been sitting for a while or not.

Try to turn it over by hand (remove the plugs first). See if it hangs up anywhere. If it sat for a while, the cyl's. can get rusty, and that's no good.

Idealy, you should pull the heads and check the cylinders. Feel for the ridges at the top and they'll give you an idea of how worn it is. This is not always possible though. Taking a micormeter to the bore will also tell you if it's been rebuilt already.

The same goes for the lower end. I'd like to remove the oil pan and a few of the rod and main bearing caps, but usually can't.

I'm no expert, but this is what I check for.

Kevin K.

EDIT: Did you check into a crate motor from places like Autozone? The 351 should be under $1000 for a long block.

Sep 16, 2003 | 09:12 AM

beartracks

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 6,628

Likes: 345

From: Albuquerque

Motor shopping

I cannot say this for sure but I believe the Lincoln/Mercury 460 has a different motor mount pad on the block than the Ford. The towers will also be different.

Sep 16, 2003 | 05:50 PM

nbaff

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 192

Likes: 0

From: North Carolina, Wilmingto

Motor shopping

I was under the impression that all of the 460's were the same. I know that the motor mounts that are in the truck are not oging to be the same as the ones that are found in the car. I was counting on haveing to change something. I thaotughat that i would use the motor swap mounts from jeff's bronco graveyard. they seem to be well built and about in my buget. The seller says that the motor is still in the car and that it is running. thanks for the relpys

any ideas on the clutch. I know the car has a C-6 in it and that i will have ot get a fly wheel from either an older 460 or a 390. But will the clutch that i have work with that. thanks for the info.

nick

Sep 16, 2003 | 06:03 PM

Torque1st

Posting Legend

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 30,255

Likes: 37

Motor shopping

Check with the 460 engine forum.

Sep 16, 2003 | 06:27 PM

nbaff

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 192

Likes: 0

From: North Carolina, Wilmingto

Motor shopping

Same post in there. At least this one is getting some replies.

Sep 17, 2003 | 10:09 AM

hillbillyk

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 851

Likes: 15

From: Elkton, MD

Motor shopping

the engines are the same, the connecting rods are a little different in the trucks, but thats it, they mount the same. You could also get the motor mounts from landl, they work pretty good. I would get a set of truck accessory brackets. You will need a new flywheel, and put spacers between the engine and bellhousing, I think a 1/4 inch. you will need exhaust manifolds from a truck, the oil pan will be ok if you have a lift.